obama, 47% would support the former governor of massachusetts. the first of three debates will take place wednesday night in denver. one republican leader predicted mitt romney's performance will be strong enough to reshape the race. steve handelsman on capitol hill now with more on this. >> reporter: jim, thanks, good evening. both these candidates are looking at the polls, mostly in the battleground states. and they're all eyeing this debate, both eyeing this debate on wednesday. picture it, mitt romney side by side with barack obama. this is what challengers want, to be literally on an even keel with the incumbent president and 60 million americans could tune in. prominent republicans said today, it's huge. they're setting up for the debate in denver. one of mitt romney's biggest backers sounds upbeat. >> every time he's been challenged, in one of these situations, and had a debate, he's come forward with an outstanding performance. listen, i plead guilty to having confidence in the guy on wednesday night. >> reporter: but romney trails in eve